Usage Example for Arduino-Wireless Communication

Hardware Preparaton

• APC220 module x2

• CP210 USB to UART Converter x1

• Arduino board x1

• USB Cable A-B for Arduino x1

Software Preparation

• RF Magic Software
• Arduino IDE 1.0.6 Click to Download Arduino IDE
• Serial Assistant: Click to download Serial debugging assistant

1. The Arduino board here we use is Romeo (Leonardo), which uses Serial1 instead of Serial in the code, if you use another Arduino, e.g. Uno, Mega, Bluno.., please rewrite the Serial1.println() to Serial.println().
2. Arduino IDE 1.6.5 cannot display the message at all, we recommend using Arduino 1.0.6 serial monitor or an alternative serial monitor.

Set APC220

1. Screw in the antenna to the APC220 and plug it in to the USB-TTL converter, and then plug the converter in to your computer.
   

2. Download and install the driver for the USB-TTL converter. Go to Silicon Labs to download for your system

3. Check the serial port in the Device Manager if your driver was installed. Here, it's COM8.
   

4. Run the APC22X_V12A.exe ( i.e. RF-magic ) as Administrator if your system is not Windows XP.
   
   NOTE: The software will recognize the APC220 module and open the serial port COM8 automatically once opened. If it fails, please try to revise the COM port in the device manager to COM1 and restart the software.

5. Configure RF-magic as in the red square frame below (default setting) , and click Write W to write your setting, then click Read R to read the parameters you've set.

   • Configuration
     
   • Write and Read setting
     

   Parameter	Range	Default
   RF frequency	Resolution 1KHz，Accuracy ±100Hz	434MHz
   RF TRx Rate	1200，2400，4800，9600，19200bps	9600bps
   RF Power	0-9	9
   Series Rate	1200，2400，4800，9600，19200，38400，57600bps	9600bps
   NET ID	0-65535（16 bit）	12345
   NODE ID	123456789012
   Series Patity	Disable，Odd Patity，Even Patity	Disable

6. Set the other APC220 module again in the same way, with the same parameter setting.

Communication Test

1. Plug one module in to your PC, and plug another one in to your Arduino.
   • One on computer to receive “Hello”
     
   • Another on computer to send “Hello”
     
2. Upload the code below to Arduino ( Leonardo here we use).
   NOTE: Please revise the Serial1 to Serial if your Arduino board is Uno, Bluno, Mega etc.

   //The sketch is tested on: Romeo v2 (Leonardo)
   void setup()
   {
     Serial1.begin(9600);             //Set serial baud rate to 9600
   }
   
   void loop()
   {
     Serial1.println("Hello!");           //print out hello string
     delay(1000);                  //1 second delay
   }
   

3. Open COM8 by Serial Assistant or on the Arduino IDE serial monitor (Note Arduino IDE 1.6.5 works abnormally). You will see "Hello" appear on your screen every second.
   • Arduino serial monitor on COM8(IDE 1.0.6)
     
   • Serial Assistant on COM8